“No one is saying you have to be her friend or even speak to her again,” Maddox says. “Just don’t be a dick and don’t let this mess with your head. We really have a chance to go all the way this year, and we need to stay focused.”
Focused. Right. I’ll just do my best to pretend that Blair doesn’t exist. And I will definitely do my best to stop imagining her beautiful body when I rub one out in the shower each morning.
It’ll be easy, right?
eleven
BLAIR
“Come on,Reed. We’re going to be late.” Checking the time on my phone once again, I pace our apartment. We’re ninety percent unpacked now, though it still doesn’t look or feel like home. There are no personal touches, no photos, no knick-knacks. I’m not sure if it’s because we simply haven’t had the time to decorate, or if, on some level, we’re both unwilling to.
If we put in the effort to make this crappy little apartment warm and homey, it feels like we’re fully and completely shutting the door on our old life in LA. A life where our parents’ memories whispered through the halls and where phantom scents evoked their ghosts.
There are no ghosts here, but I still feel haunted.
“Do I need a coat?” Reed asks, tugging on the Rogues hoodie Tess gave me for him. “It’s fucking cold here.”
“Language.” It’s a losing battle. “The arena isn’t that cold. You’ll be fine in a hoodie. Just wear a long-sleeve tee underneath it if you’re worried.”
“Duh. Already am.” My brother rolls his brown eyes at me and runs a hand through his curly hair, getting it back undercontrol now that the hoodie is on. He looks so grown up. I have to remind myself that he’s still a thirteen-year-old kid and all thirteen-year-olds are obnoxious little shits sometimes.
Grabbing my purse and keys, my hands tremble as I smooth my sweater down and adjust my scarf. Tess gave me a Rogues hoodie, too, but I want to look nice if I’m meeting coworkers and members of the organization for the first time. You only get one first impression, and after everything with Logan, I’m determined not to make a fool of myself. Besides, I haven’t forgotten that Griffin’s wife will be there, along with Maddox’s fiancée and Ryder’s girlfriend. I never texted Mira, but I am looking forward to meeting them.
I could use some friends here.
“Ready to go?”
Reed nods. He tells me about his day on the way to the arena, and I’m relieved that he’s having more luck in the friend department than I am. He tells me he missed football tryouts but that a couple guys on the team saw him throw a ball in gym class, and they’re trying to get the coach to let him go out for the team anyway, since he’s a transfer. It’ll mean more expenses and we’ll have to figure out rides, but I’ll do whatever I have to in order to help Reed pursue his dreams. Even if it means I pick up extra hours or spend too much time in my car.
He’s excited to watch the home opener. Neither of us has ever been to a hockey game, so we’re not sure what to expect, but everyone tells me how fun and fast-paced they are. He’s also excited about the free catered dinner for employees and family before the game. The kid can eat, and we’ve mostly been sticking to quick, easy meals, and I try to keep things healthy. When I told him they would have a sundae bar, Reed smiled like a little boy on Christmas morning.
Reed gapes up at the arena as we park. “It’s huge.”
“Right? Way bigger than I thought it would be.”
Reed follows me to the main entrance where I flash my employee ID and pull up the Rogues app so security can scan our tickets. They point us toward a room that’s set up with food and tables. I smile and wave at the few people I recognize, my brother trailing behind me with wide, interested eyes.
“Blair, hey!” Bryson’s familiar voice cuts through the din of the crowded room. He waves, his arm around a beautiful, curvy woman with deep golden skin and raven-black hair that hangs almost down to her waist. She offers me a smile, which I return as I drag Reed toward my coworker.
“Hey, Bryson, how are you?” I hate how awkward I feel, and I’m struggling to keep my body from swaying with nerves.
“Great.” He eyes my nervous fidgeting and chuckles. “Better than you, it seems.”
The beautiful woman at his side elbows him. “Seriously, Bryse? Don’t be a dick.” Her dark brown eyes swing to Reed, and she winces. “Sorry.”
Reed just shrugs.
“I’m Adrienne, Bryse’s girlfriend. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” She extends her hand, a warm, inviting smile making her face even more lovely. I like her already.
“Nice to meet you, too,” I say, shaking her hand. “This is my brother, Reed. Reed, this is my coworker, Bryson, and his girlfriend, Adrienne.”
“Sup,” Reed says, lifting his chin in greeting, his hands tucked in the pockets of his hoodie. He’s scanning the room, probably hoping to find another teenager, but most of the people here are either around my age or quite a bit older. There are a few women with babies and small kids, but it doesn’t look like he’ll find any peers here.
I smile tightly at Adrienne. “Sorry. Thirteen is a hard age.”
“I heard that,” Reed grumbles.
Adrienne chuckles. “Don’t I know it? My nephew can be such a little turd sometimes. But I get to shove him back home with my sister when I’ve had enough.”
